Lateral position

The patient is placed in a lateral position and securely held with props on the lumbar spine and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).

A radiolucent table is not essential as images are taken in the horizontal plane.

Note: Hip flexion may be required for the hip dislocation approach and props must therefore be carefully placed.

The leg should be fully prepared and draped. The hip drape should have a pouch attached anteriorly to allow the leg to be placed in flexion and external rotation if the hip is dislocated.

The C-arm of the image intensifier should be completely draped.